Cellulosic and advanced biofuels producers are very concerned that the EPA proposal to lower 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets will have a chilling effect on investment in the next generation of renewable fuels. “Frankly, we have decided that we are placing a hold on our evaluations of future investment in bioenergy in the United States until we see what …
Wisconsin Resarchers Find Better Biofuels Chemical
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found a way to get more ethanol out of sugars used in the refining process. This university article says they’re using a plant-derived chemical, gamma valerolactone, or GVL. “With the sugar platform, you have possibilities,” says Jeremy Luterbacher, a postdoctoral researcher and the paper’s lead author. “You’ve taken fewer forks down the conversion …
Bi-Partisan Group Protests EPA Biofuels Reductions
A bi-partisan group of lawmakers is calling on the government to end its proposal to reduce the amount of ethanol and biodiesel that will be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply. Led by Democratic Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem (SD-AL), the group has sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the agency’s proposal …
Farm Bureau Lends Support to Keeping RFS
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers its proposal that would, in effect, slash the amount of ethanol and biodiesel to be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is telling the government to leave the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) alone. During their policy session at the recent AFBF annual meeting in San Antonio, …
Ethanol Keeps Record Corn Crop’s Prices Up
A record corn crop usually means falling prices at market for U.S. farmers. But this article from BioFuels Journal says a new report from a Kansas State University agricultural economist says high demand from ethanol producers is supporting the prices despite the record-high 13.9 billion bushels of corn last year. “The markets responded positively to the corn data,” said Dan …
Iowa U.S. Senate Candidates Support Biofuels
Considering the state’s significant role in biofuels and renewable energy, there’s little surprise that primary candidates for the Iowa U.S. Senate seat are expressing their support of the green fuels. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) says its 2014 Iowa U.S. Senate Primary Candidate Renewable Fuels Survey shows there’s strong, bipartisan support for renewable fuels among the state’s top candidates. …
Whikehart to Keynote National Ethanol Conference
The man in charge of Marathon Petroleum Company‘s biofuels supply chain will deliver the keynote address for next month’s National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla. The Renewable Fuels Association announced David Whikehart, Director of Product Supply and Optimization at Marathon, will speak at the conference on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 8:45 a.m. EST. “David will be able to provide the …
Corn Stocks and Ethanol Use Increased
The newest supply and demand estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms a record corn harvest in 2013 of just under 14 billion bushels and an increased in usage of corn for ethanol. USDA’s World Agricultural Supply Demand Estimate for January 10 projects corn use for 2013/14 higher with feed and residual use projected up 100 million bushels based …
Senator Hopeful About RFS
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is hopeful the Environmental Protection Agency will make some changes in the proposed volume requirements for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard this year. “I just hope that the EPA will work with us, work with the industry, in a way that is realistic and grounded in the view that this is an industry that’s here …
Biodiesel Advocate Slams EPA at Ethanol’s Expense
A former Texas congressman is saying the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) got it wrong in its latest proposal on cutting back on the amount of biodiesel to be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply. But in this opinion piece from The Hill, former Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Silvestre Reyes, seems to toss fellow green fuel ethanol under …